Re-enterable enclosure

ABSTRACT

An enclosure ( 20, 220 ) includes a housing ( 22, 222 ) and a sealing unit ( 48, 42   a,    232 ) that mounts within a sealing unit opening ( 28, 230 ) of the housing. The sealing unit ( 48, 42   a,    232 ) provides a peripheral seal between the housing ( 22, 222 ) and the sealing unit ( 48, 42   a,    232 ) and provides seals around cable ports ( 50 ). The sealing unit ( 48, 42   a,    232 ) can be mounted to and removed from the housing ( 222 ) through the sealing unit opening ( 28, 230 ). The base ( 26 ) lacks a permanent retention structure ( 55, 155   a ) at the outer end of the base ( 26 ) for retaining the sealing unit ( 48, 42   a,    232 ) in the base ( 26 ). A cover ( 24 ) is removable from the base ( 26 ) without requiring the sealant arrangement ( 52, 236 ) to be de-pressurized. A fastening arrangement ( 55, 155   a ) releasably retains the sealing unit ( 48, 42   a,    232 ) in the sealing unit opening ( 28, 230 ).

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/412,368, filed 31 Dec. 2014, which is a National Stage Application ofPCT/EP2013/063495, filed 27 Jun. 2013, which claims benefit of U.S.Provisional Ser. No. 61/667,257, filed 2 Jul. 2012 and whichapplications are incorporated herein by reference. To the extentappropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the above disclosedapplications.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to enclosures used intelecommunications networks. More particularly, the present disclosurerelates to sealed enclosures for use in telecommunications networks.

BACKGROUND

Telecommunications systems typically employ a network oftelecommunications cables capable of transmitting large volumes of dataand voice signals over relatively long distances. The telecommunicationscables can include fiber optic cables, electrical cables, orcombinations of electrical and fiber optic cables. A typicaltelecommunications network also includes a plurality oftelecommunications enclosures integrated throughout the network oftelecommunications cables. The telecommunications enclosures are adaptedto house and protect telecommunications components such as splices,termination panels, power splitters and wavelength divisionmultiplexers. It is often preferred for the telecommunicationsenclosures to be re-enterable. The term “re-enterable” means that thetelecommunications enclosures can be reopened to allow access to thetelecommunications components housed therein without requiring theremoval and destruction of the telecommunications enclosures. Forexample, certain telecommunications enclosures can include separateaccess panels that can be opened to access the interiors of theenclosures, and then closed to re-seal the enclosures. Othertelecommunications enclosures take the form of elongated sleeves formedby wrap-around covers or half-shells having longitudinal edges that arejoined by clamps or other retainers. Still other telecommunicationsenclosures include two half-pieces that are joined together throughclamps, wedges or other structures.

Telecommunications enclosures are typically sealed to inhibit theintrusion of moisture or other contaminants. Pressurized gel-type sealshave been used to effectively seal the locations wheretelecommunications cables enter and exit telecommunications enclosures.Example pressurized gel-type seals are disclosed by document EP 0442941B1 and document EP 0587616 B1. Both of these documents disclose gel-typecable seals that are pressurized through the use of threaded actuators.Document U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,406 discloses a cable seal that ispressurized through the use of an actuator including a cam lever. Whilepressurized cable seals have generally proven to be effective,improvements in this area are still needed.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a dome-style enclosurehaving a split housing having a dome, a base and sealing unit that fitswithin the base. In certain embodiments, the dome can be removed fromthe base without disturbing or depressurizing the sealing unit. Thisallows internal optical components (e.g., splice trays holding splices,splitter trays holding optical splitters, wavelength divisionmultipliers, fiber management trays, etc.) to be accessed and servicedwithout disturbing or depressurizing the sealing unit. This isadvantageous because repeatedly disturbing the sealing unit increasesthe likelihood of leak paths developing. In certain embodiments, thesealing unit can be removed from the base without detaching the domefrom the base. For example, in certain embodiments, the sealing unit canbe removed from the base through an outer end of the base. In certainembodiments, a frame supporting optical components is coupled to andcarried with the sealing unit such that both the sealing unit and theframe can be removed from the base through the outer end of the base. Incertain embodiments, the base is adapted to be connected to an outsideenvironmental structure such as a pole, wall, bracket, handhold or otherstructure. The above-described configuration is advantageous because thesealing unit can be easily accessed and removed for maintenance or foradding additional cables. Additionally, the ability to remove thesealing unit and the frame from the housing of the enclosure through theouter end of the base allows the base to remain connected to an outsideenvironmental structure while the sealing unit and optical componentssupported on the frame are accessed for servicing. Thus, it is notnecessary to remove the enclosure housing from the environmentalstructure each time cables are intended to be inserted through orremoved from the sealing block. Instead, the sealing unit and the framecan be removed from the housing as a unit and carried to a servicinglocation (e.g., a servicing table/station at a service truck) while theenclosure housing remains attached to the outside environmentalstructure.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a telecommunicationsenclosure having a housing that defines an opening in which a cablesealing unit mounts. The cable sealing unit is removable from theopening through an outer end of the opening. In certain embodiments, thehousing is adapted to be connected to an outside environmental structuresuch as a pole, wall, bracket, handhold or other structure. The abilityto remove the sealing unit and the frame from the housing of theenclosure through the outer end of the housing opening allows thehousing to remain connected to an outside environmental structure whilethe sealing unit and optical components supported on the frame areaccessed for servicing. Thus, it is not necessary to remove theenclosure housing from the environmental structure each time cables areintended to be inserted through or removed from the sealing block.Instead, the sealing unit and the frame can be removed from the housingas a unit and carried to a servicing location (e.g., a servicingtable/station at a service truck) while the enclosure housing remainsattached to the outside environmental structure. In certain embodiments,the sealing unit includes a sealant arrangement and an actuationarrangement for pressurizing the sealant arrangement to provideeffective sealing around cable routed through the sealing unit and toprovide a peripheral seal between the sealing unit and the housing. Theactuation arrangement includes inner and outer pressurization structuresbetween which the sealant arrangement is pressurized. In certainembodiments, the cables are anchored to the inner pressurizationstructure, and the inner pressurization structure is secured to thehousing by a releasable attachment arrangement. Anchoring the cables tothe inner pressurization structure and retaining/locking the innerpressurization structure relative to the enclosure housing prevents theinner pressurization structure from moving or floating when loads areapplied to the inner pressurization structure through the cables.Restricting movement of the inner pressurization structure preventsloading from being transferred to optical fibers within the enclosureand assists in limiting movement of the cables within the sealing unit.By limiting movement of cables within the sealing unit, seal integrityis maintained. By releasing the connection between the innerpressurization structure and the enclosure housing allows the sealingunit to be removed from the enclosure housing through the outer end ofthe opening in which the sealing unit is mounted. The releasableattachment arrangement can be moved between an attaching position and anon-attaching position. In certain embodiments, the releasableattachment arrangement is configured to be accessed from outside theenclosure so that the attachment arrangement can removed between theattaching position and the non-attaching position from outside theenclosure. In certain embodiments, the releasable attachment arrangementcan be accessed from inside the enclosure by removing a cover of theenclosure.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an enclosure forcontaining and protecting telecommunications equipment components suchas optical fiber, optical splices, optical splitters and othercomponents/elements. In certain embodiments, the enclosure has a sealedcable entrance/exit location and a separate access location foraccessing the telecommunications components within the enclosure. In oneembodiment, the enclosure includes a sealing unit that is pressurized byan actuator, and a separate access opening that allows thetelecommunications components within the enclosure to be accessedwithout requiring the sealing unit to be depressurized.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in thedescription that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individualfeatures and to combinations of features. It is to be understood thatboth the foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictiveof the broad inventions and inventive concepts upon which theembodiments disclosed herein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a telecommunications enclosure inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the telecommunications enclosure of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view a sealing unit and telecommunicationcomponent support frame of the telecommunications enclosure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sealing unit and telecommunicationcomponent support frame of FIG. 3 shown inserted through a base of thetelecommunications enclosure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is another perspective view a sealing unit and telecommunicationcomponent support frame of the telecommunications enclosure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along section line 7-7of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cable anchoring arrangement that canbe used to secure cables to an inner pressurization structure of thesealing unit of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the cable anchoring arrangement ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the cable anchoring arrangement ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a base of the telecommunicationsenclosure of FIG. 1, a sealing unit latching arrangement is shownincorporated into the base;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 12-12 of FIG.11;

FIG. 12A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13 shows an actuator of the sealing unit latching arrangement ofFIG. 11;

FIG. 14 shows a latch of the sealing unit latching arrangement of FIG.11;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternative sealing unit and frameinserted within a housing base in accordance with the principles of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 15A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 15 showing a sealingunit attachment arrangement in accordance with the principles of thepresent disclosure, the attachment arrangement is shown in anon-attaching position;

FIG. 15B shows the sealing unit attachment arrangement of FIG. 15A in anattaching position;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 16-16 of FIG.15;

FIG. 16A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 16;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another telecommunications enclosure inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure, a sealing unitof the enclosure is shown in a non-actuated position;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the telecommunications enclosure ofFIG. 17 with the sealing unit shown in an actuated position;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the telecommunications enclosure ofFIG. 17 with a side cover removed; and

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of the telecommunications enclosure of FIG.17 with the sealing unit removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-14 illustrate a telecommunications enclosure 20 in accordancewith the principles of the present disclosure. The enclosure 20 includesa housing 22 including a dome-style cover 24 and a base 26. The cover 24has an open end 28 positioned opposite from a closed end 30. The coveralso includes a cover flange 32 that extends around a periphery of thecover 24 at the open end 28 of the cover 24. The base 26 is depicted asa hollow sleeve having an inner end 34 and an outer end 36. The base 26includes a base flange 38 that extends around a periphery of the base atthe inner end 34 of the base 26. The cover 24 is elongated along acentral axis 40 that extends from the open end 28 to the closed end 38of the cover 24. The enclosure 20 also includes a clamp 42 having achannel that receives the cover flange 32 and the base flange 38 tocouple the cover 24 and the base 22 together. The enclosure 20 furtherincludes a sealing unit 48 that fits within the base 26. A sealing unit48 defines a plurality of cable ports 50. The sealing unit 48 includes asealant arrangement 52 (see FIG. 5) for sealing the cable ports 50 andfor providing a peripheral seal between the base 26 and the cablesealing unit 48. The enclosure further includes an actuation arrangement56 carried with the sealing unit 48 for pressurizing the sealantarrangement 52 within the base 26. The enclosure also includes a frame53 coupled to the sealing unit 48 such that the frame 53 is carried withthe sealing unit 48 when the sealing unit is inserted into or removedfrom the base 26. A plurality of optical components (e.g., splice trayssupporting optical splices and managing optical fibers routed to thesplices, splitter trays supporting optical splitters and managingoptical fibers routed to and from the splitters, fiber management trays,trays supporting wavelength division multipliers, etc.). By unlatchingthe clamp 42, the cover 24 can be removed from the base 26 withoutrequiring the sealant arrangement 52 to be de-pressurized.

Conventional dome-style enclosures typically include a base having anouter end with a permanent lip/flange for axially retaining the sealingunit within the base. Thus, the sealing unit cannot be removed from theouter end of the base while the base is attached to the dome-stylecover. Instead, it is necessary to remove the dome-style cover from thebase and then remove the sealing unit from the base by separating thebase in half or by pulling the sealing unit thorough the inner end ofthe base. In contrast, the base 26 of the depicted embodiment lacks apermanent retention structure at the outer end 36 of the base 26 forretaining the sealing unit 48 within the base 26. Instead, the sealingunit 48 is retained in the base 26 by a retention arrangement 55 (seeFIGS. 11-14) that is movable between a retaining position and anon-retaining position. When the sealing unit 48 is mounted in the base26 while the retention arrangement 55 is in the retaining position, thesealing unit 48 is prevented from moving axially within the base 26 andis prevented from being removed from the base 26 through the outer end36 of the base 26. By de-actuating the sealing unit 48 to depressurizethe sealing arrangement 52 and by moving the retention arrangement 55 toa non-retaining position, the sealing unit 48 can be removed from thebase 26 by sliding the sealing unit 48 from the base 26 through theouter end 36 of the base 26.

Referring to FIG. 7, the actuation arrangement 56 includes inner andouter pressurization structures 160,162 (e.g., plates, members, bodies,etc.). As shown at FIG. 3, the frame 53 is attached to the innerpressurization structure 160 and carried with the sealing unit 42. Thesealant arrangement 52 is positioned between the inner and outerpressurization structures 160, 162. The actuation arrangement 56includes an actuator 135 including a lever arm 136 and a spring 152 fortransferring a seal pressurization force from the lever arm 136 to thesealant arrangement 52. The lever arm 136 is movable between an actuatedposition and a non-actuated position. When the lever arm 136 is movedtoward the actuated position, the lever arm 136 generates a sealpressurization force that presses the sealant arrangement 52 between thefirst and second pressurization structures 160, 162. More specifically,pressurization force from the lever arm 136 is transferred from levercam surface 164 through the spring 152 and through a shaft 170 to theinner and outer pressurization structures 160, 162. In this way, thefirst and second pressurization structures 160, 162 are spring biasedtoward one another such that spring pressure is applied to the sealantarrangement 52 for pressurizing the sealant arrangement 52 to maintainthe seals over an extended period of time. In alternative embodiments,the actuation arrangement 56 can include multiple actuators or othertypes of actuators (e.g., screw-drive type actuators). When the sealantarrangement 52 is pressurized, the sealant arrangement 52 fills voidswithin the base 26 and presses against the base 26 to form a peripheralseal within the interior of the base 26. Concurrently, the sealantarrangement 52 seals against the outer surface of cables routed throughthe cable ports of the sealing unit 42 so as to form seals around thecables passing through the cable ports.

In certain embodiments, the base 26 is configured to be attached to anoutside environmental structure such as a wall, a bracket, a handhold, apole, a cable or other structure. As depicted in the figures, the baseincludes one or more mounting flanges 70 for affixing the housing toanother structure.

As shown at FIG. 3, telecommunications components, such as managementtrays, are mounted within the housing 22. The management trays can beconfigured for managing and storing excess optical fiber, for supportingand protecting splices, for supporting and protecting optical splittersand performing other functions. The trays are shown pivotably mounted tothe frame 53 carried with the sealing unit 48. The frame 53 and thesealing unit 48 can be removed from the housing 22 by sliding thesealing unit 48 and the frame 53 out of the housing as a unit throughthe outer end 36 of the base 26. A cable fixation structure 80 is alsocarried with the sealing unit 48. The cable fixation structure 80 isconfigured for anchoring cable strength members corresponding to cablesrouted through the cable ports of the sealing unit to the sealing unitor the frame. Typical cable strength members include aramid yarn, fiberreinforced glass rods, metal wires or other structures used to providetensile and/or compressive reinforcement to a telecommunications cable.By anchoring the strength members to the sealing unit 42 and by fixingthe sealing unit 42 to the housing (e.g., via the retention mechanism55) tensile loads applied to the cables are directed through the sealingunit 42 and transferred to the housing 22 to prevent the load frompassing to exposed fibers of the optical cables within the enclosure 20.Because the housing 22 is connected to an outside environmentalstructure through the flanges 70 on the base 26, the loading isultimately transferred to the outside environmental structure.

The cable fixation structure 80 can include any type of structure foranchoring cables to the sealing unit 48. For example, the cable fixationstructure 80 can include locations where cable jackets can be clampedwith cable clamps or tied down with cable tie downs. Alternatively, thecable fixation structure 80 can include fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts,clamps, etc.) or other retaining mechanisms for fixing cable strengthmembers to the sealing unit 48. In a preferred embodiment, the cablefixation structure 80 is carried with or provided as part of the innerpressurization structure 160, and the sealing unit 48 is fixed relativeto the base/housing by axially fixing the inner pressurization structure160 to the base 26 or other part of the housing 22. For example, theretention mechanism 55 can preferably engage and interlock with theinner pressurization structure 160 when in the retaining position so asto restrict axial movement of the inner pressurization structure withinthe base 26. In this way, tensile or compressive loading applied to thepressurization structure 160 through the cables is transferred throughthe base 26 to the outside environmental structure and does not causemovement of the inner pressurization structure 160. This transfer isadvantageous because movement of the inner pressurization structure 160could otherwise cause loading to be applied to optical fibers within theenclosure and could also compromise seal integrity.

Referring to FIG. 6, the cable fixation structure 80 includes a cablefixation platform/plate 81 incorporated as part of the innerpressurization structure 160. The cable fixation plate 81 defines aplurality of fixation locations 83 in the form of openings wherestrength member clamping devices 85 can be secured. As shown at FIGS.8-10, the clamping devices include internally threaded sleeves 87 thatmount to the fixation plate 81 (e.g., by a snap-fit connection, by aninterlocking slip fit connection, etc.). The clamping devices 85 alsoinclude externally threaded plugs 89 that thread within the internallythreaded sleeves 87. A shown at FIG. 10, a cable 91 can be fixedrelative to the clamping device 85 by passing an optical fiber 93 of thecable 91 through the clamping device 85 and into the enclosure 20, andby locking a strength member 95 of the cable 91 between the threads ofthe plug 89 and the sleeve 87.

FIGS. 11-14 show the retention arrangement 55 of the enclosure 20. Theretention arrangement 55 includes two latching elements 180 eachincluding a shaft 182 pivotally mounted within a side wall of the base26. Latches 184 are coupled to inner ends of the shafts 182 andhandles/actuators 186 are coupled to outer ends of the shafts 182. Theactuators 186 are accessible from outside the enclosure 20 (see FIG. 1).Thus, the retention arrangement 55 can be moved between the retainingand non-retaining positions from outside the enclosure 20 without havingto open the enclosure 20. When in the retention arrangement 55 is inretaining position (see FIGS. 11, 12 and 14), the latches 184 engage orinterlock with a portion of the inner pressurization structure 160 suchthat the sealing unit 42 is prevented from moving axially within thebase 26 (see FIG. 4). As shown at FIG. 14, the latches 184 fit withinslots 188 defined by the inner pressurization structure 160 to lock thesealing unit 42 in place relative to the base 26. When the retentionarrangement 55 is in the non-retaining position, the latches 184disengage from the inner pressurization structure 160 so that thesealing unit 42 can be pulled axially out of the base 26 through theouter end of the base 26.

In use of the telecommunications enclosure, the housing 22 is affixed toan environmental structure (e.g., a wall, a pole, a handhold, a bracket,a cable, etc.) by attaching the base 26 to the environmental structure.The structure of the enclosure 20 allows the telecommunicationscomponents within the housing 22 to be accessed by removing the cover 24from the base 26 without detaching the base 26 from the environmentalstructure. Furthermore, the telecommunications components can beaccessed by removing the cover 24 from the base 26 without disturbingthe sealing unit 48 pressurized within the base 26. Thetelecommunications components within the housing 22 can also be accessedby removing the sealing unit 48 from the housing 22 by sliding thesealing unit 48 through the outer end of the base 26. Thetelecommunications components, the frame 53, the cable fixationstructures 80, and the trays are carried with the sealing unit 48through the outer end of the base 26. This allows the entire assembly tobe removed from the mounting location and carried to a remote location(e.g., a work station or work table in a service vehicle) for furtherprocessing such as optical splicing or other processing.

FIGS. 15, 15A, 15B, 16 and 16A show an alternative sealing unit 42 a andbase 26 a in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Aretention pin arrangement 155 a is used to selectively couple an innerpressurization structure 160 a of the sealing unit 42 a to the base 26a. The retention pin arrangement 155 a is moveable between anon-retaining position (see FIGS. 15 and 15A) and a retaining position(see FIGS. 15B, 16 and 16A). The retention pin 155 a includes a lockportion 156 and a grip portion 157. The lock portion 156 is sized to fitthrough openings defined in the inner pressurization structure 160 a anda tab 158 of the base 26 a. The grip portion 157 is sized to not fitthrough the openings. The retention pin arrangement 155 a is notaccessible from outside the enclosure. Thus, the cover 24 is removedfrom the base 26 a to provide access for moving the retention pinarrangement 155 a between the retaining position and the non-retainingposition.

FIGS. 17-20 illustrate another telecommunications enclosure 220 inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The enclosureincludes a housing 222 having a main housing body 224 defining a firstend 226 and a second end 228. The main housing body 224 also defines anend opening 230 at the second end 228. In the depicted embodiment, thehousing 222 is a dome-style housing and the enclosure 220 is adome-style enclosure. The enclosure 220 also includes a sealing unit 232(see FIG. 20) that fits within the end opening 230. The sealing unit 232defines a plurality of cable ports. The sealing unit 232 also includes asealant arrangement 236 (e.g., see the sealant arrangement 52 of FIG. 4)for sealing the cable ports and for providing a peripheral seal withinthe end opening 230 between the housing 222 and the cable sealing unit232. The sealing unit 232 further includes an actuator 238 forpressurizing the sealant arrangement 236 within the end opening 230. Theactuator 238 is depicted as including lever arms 240 movable between anon-actuated position P1 (see FIG. 17) and an actuated position P2 (seeFIG. 18). In other embodiments, the actuator 238 can include other typesof structures suitable for pressurizing the sealant arrangement 236 suchas threaded actuators or other structures

The main housing body 224 of the housing 222 also defines a side opening240 for accessing an interior of the main housing body 224 (see FIG.19). The side opening 240 is separate from the end opening 230. Thehousing 222 also includes a side cover 242 that mounts to the mainhousing body 224 for covering the side opening 240. In a preferredembodiment, removal of the side cover 242 from the main body 224 isindependent of the sealing unit 232 such that removal of the side cover242 does not require the actuator 238 to be moved to the non-actuatedposition P2 and removal of the side cover 242 from the main housing body224 while the cable sealing unit 232 is pressurized does not causede-pressurization of the sealing arrangement 236 of the cable sealingunit 232.

In the depicted embodiment, the side opening 240 and the end opening 230are completely independently defined with respect to each other. Theside cover 242 is shown secured to the main housing body 224 by a clamp246. The side cover 242 includes a cover flange 242A that extends arounda perimeter of the cover 242. The main housing body 224 defines a sideopening flange 240A that extends around a perimeter of the side opening240. The side cover 242 is secured to the main housing body 224 by achannel clamp 246 having a channel 248 that receives the cover andopening flanges 242A, 240A and that extends around the perimeters of theside opening 240 and the side cover 242.

The housing 222 includes opposite first and second major sides 250, 252that extend between the first and second ends 226, 228 of the mainhousing body 224. The housing 222 also includes opposite first andsecond minor sides 254, 256 that extend between the first and secondends 226, 228 of the main housing body 224 and that also extend betweenthe first and second major sides 250, 252. In certain embodiments, theminor sides 254, 256 have larger heights at the second end 228 of themain housing body 224 as compared to at the first end 226 of the mainhousing body 224.

A majority of the first major side 250 is defined by the side cover 242of the housing 222. The side cover 242 is angled relative to the secondmajor side 252 such that the side cover 242 and the second major side252 converge toward one another as the side cover 242 and the secondmajor side 252 extend toward the first end 226 of the main housing body224. The main housing body 224 defines a first length L1 between thefirst and second ends 226, 228 (FIG. 17). The side opening 240 has asecond length L2 that extends between the first and second ends 226, 228of the main housing body 224 (FIG. 19). The second length L2 is shorterthan the first length L1. In certain embodiments, the second length L2is at least half as long as the first length L1. In certain embodiments,the second length L2 starts at the first end 226 of the main housingbody 224 and ends at an intermediate position between the first andsecond ends 226, 228 of the main housing body 224.

Referring to FIG. 19, management trays 260 are positioned within themain housing body 224. In certain embodiments, the management trays 260can be configured for managing telecommunications components such asoptical fibers, excess lengths of optical fibers, optical splitters,optical splices or other components. It will be appreciated that themanagement trays 260 can be accessed through the side opening 240without disturbing the sealing unit 232.

Referring FIGS. 19 and 20, the management trays 260 are mounted to aframe 262 connected to and carried with the sealing unit 232. A cablefixation structure of the type described above can also be carried withthe sealing unit 232. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing unit 232,the cable fixation structure and the frame 262 all can be removed fromthe housing 222 as a unit by sliding the sealing unit 232 and the otherstructures carried therewith outwardly from the housing 222 through theend opening 230. A retention arrangement of any of the types describedabove can be used to selectively axially lock the sealing unit 232within the housing 222. For example, one or more retention pins 155 a(FIGS. 15 and 16) may be used to selectively axially lock the sealingunit 232 within the housing 222.

It will be appreciated that various materials can be used to form thesealant arrangement 52, 236. Example materials include elastomers,including natural or synthetic rubbers (e.g., EPDM rubber or siliconerubber). In other embodiments, polymeric foam (e.g., open cell or closedcell) such as silicone foam can be used. In still other embodiments, thesealing members may comprise gel and/or gel combined with anothermaterial such as an elastomer. The gel may, for example, comprisesilicone gel, urea gel, urethane gel, thermoplastic gel, or any suitablegel or geloid sealing material. Gels are normally substantiallyincompressible when placed under a compressive force and normally flowand conform to their surroundings thereby forming sealed contact withother surfaces. Example gels include oil-extended polymers. The polymermay, for example, comprise an elastomer, or a block copolymer havingrelatively hard blocks and relatively elastomeric blocks. Examplecopolymers include styrene-butadiene or styrene-isoprene di-block ortri-block copolymers. In still other embodiments, the polymer of the gelmay include one or more styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene blockcopolymers. Example extender oils used in example gels may, for example,be hydrocarbon oils (e.g., paraffinic or naphthenic oils or polypropeneoils, or mixtures thereof). The sealing members can also includeadditives such as moisture scavengers, antioxidants, tackifiers,pigments and/or fungicides. In certain embodiments, sealing members inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure have ultimateelongations greater than 100 percent with substantially elasticdeformation to an elongation of at least 100 percent. In otherembodiments, sealing members in accordance with the principles of thepresent disclosure have ultimate elongations of at least 200 percent, orat least 500 percent, or at least 1000 percent. Ultimate elongation canbe determined by the testing protocol set forth at ASTM D412.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND CORRESPONDING FEATURES

-   20 enclosure-   22 housing-   24 cover-   26, 26 a base-   28 open end-   30 closed end-   32 cover flange-   34 inner end-   36 outer end-   38 base flange-   40 central axis-   42 clamp-   42 a alternative sealing unit-   48 sealing unit-   50 cable ports-   52 sealant arrangement-   53 frame-   55 retention arrangement-   56 actuation arrangement-   70 flanges-   80 cable fixation structure-   81 cable fixation plate-   83 fixation locations-   85 clamping device-   87 sleeve-   89 plug-   91 cable-   93 optical fiber-   95 strength member-   135 actuator-   136 lever arm-   152 spring-   155 a retention pin arrangement-   156 lock portion-   157 grip portion-   158 tab-   160, 160 a inner pressurization structure-   162 outer pressurization structure-   164 lever cam surface-   170 shaft-   180 latching elements-   182 shaft-   184 latches-   186 handle-   188 slots-   220 enclosure-   222 housing-   224 main housing body-   226 first end-   228 second end-   230 end opening-   232 sealing unit-   236 sealant arrangement-   238 actuator-   239 lever arms-   240 side opening-   240A side opening flange-   242 side cover-   242A cover flange-   246 clamp-   248 channel-   250 first major side-   252 second major side-   254 first minor side-   256 second minor side-   260 management trays-   262 frame-   L1 first length-   L2 second length-   P1 non-actuated position-   P2 actuated position

1. An enclosure comprising: a housing having main housing body defining a first end and a second end, the main housing body also defining an end opening at the second end; a sealing unit that fits within the end opening, the sealing unit defining a plurality of cable ports, the sealing unit also including a sealant arrangement for sealing the cable ports and for providing a peripheral seal within the end opening between the housing and the cable sealing unit; an actuator carried with the sealing unit for pressurizing the sealant arrangement within the end opening; the main housing body also defining a side opening for accessing an interior of the main housing body, the side opening being separate from the end opening, the housing also including a side cover that mounts to the main housing body for covering the side opening.
 2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein removal of the side cover from the main body does not cause de-pressurization of the sealant arrangement.
 3. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the side opening and the end opening are completely independently defined with respect to each other.
 4. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the side cover is secured to the housing main body by a clamp.
 5. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the side cover includes cover flange that extends around a perimeter of the cover, wherein the main housing body defines a side opening flange that extends around a perimeter of the side opening, and wherein the side cover is secured to the main housing body by a channel clamp having a channel that receives the cover and opening flanges and that extends around the perimeters of the side opening and the side cover.
 6. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the housing includes opposite first and second major sides that extend between the first and second ends of the main housing body, wherein the housing includes opposite first and second minor sides that extend between the first and second ends of the main housing body and that also extend between the first and second major sides.
 7. The enclosure of claim 6, wherein a majority of the first major side is defined by the side cover of the housing.
 8. The enclosure of claim 7, wherein the side cover is angled relative to the second major side such that the side cover and the second major side converge toward one another as the side cover and the second major side extend toward the first end of the main housing body.
 9. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the main housing body defines a first length between the first and second ends, wherein the side opening has a second length that extends between the first and second ends of the main housing body, and wherein the second length is shorter than the first length.
 10. The enclosure of claim 9, wherein the second length is at least half as long as the first length.
 11. The enclosure of claim 9, wherein the second length starts at the first end of the main housing body and ends at an intermediate position between the first and second ends of the main housing body.
 12. The enclosure of claim 6, wherein the minor sides have larger heights at the second end of the main housing body as compared to at the first end of the main housing body.
 14. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein splice trays are positioned within the main housing body, and wherein the splice trays can be accessed through the side opening without disturbing the sealing unit. 